The next day, they went to the friend that Hidelga was talking about. She had requested new pieces of cooking utensils. She was thinking that he could select a weapon to use if ever he needed one in his return. Unaware that he is a threader and he doesn't really need one, only non-threaders use hand-made weapons.
They arrive requesting a dagger, but his friend's statement is, "That's impossible, young lady. You know I don't make such things anymore. Soldiers will presumably request weapons and talismans without even paying. So I've decided to quit making it and focus on house equipment. Also, the trade from Fidelphia outmost all the quality of the weapons." his complaint while being busy with all the clanging, boiling, and cutting.
Hidelga doesn't stop arguing with him until he asks who it is for. She pointed to Leon, who was standing beside her, all covered with his cloak concealing his face. He had been standing there since they entered the shop.
"Can you show me your face, mister? Well, at least I can see the face if he looks trustworthy enough," he requested as a matter that can change his mind.
Leon (the Emperor) removes his hood, revealing his face to the blacksmith. Tim was dumbfounded when he saw the angelic face with those dazzling eyes.
"Young lady, would you like to go to the kitchen to help my wife and daughter in preparing our meal? I need to talk to this man if he is worthy of the weapon I create," he said, creating an excuse.
Hidelga was puzzled but he followed his friend, giving signals to Leon to do his best to convince him.
The blacksmith went to his hidden items under the floor.
"Are you worthy? or Am I worthy to create you a weapon?" he said.
"It is an honor, your highness," he added.
"In this huge world, not all people have the chance to see the face of the royalties; they often take over without the people seeing them. I saw the late emperor and you resemble him so much that I will never be mistaken," Tim said, checking the vault.
"Besides, I heard that he has a son with quite a resemblance to him yet different eye features," he said, facing him, having his hands moving in a circular motion referring to the face.
Leon looked around the place. "You came from Fidelphia," he said.
"I'm not surprised you noticed, sir," he said as he stood up and bowed to give a salute to the emperor.
"Being a Fidelphian, I have this pride of having the best qualities in my creation however I was out of my homeland for so long that I only knew how to create them traditionally, and also, I haven't created many items for years. If you want, these are my stored best items." Showing it to him.
"Also, I don't think you need much weapons or talismans, Your Highness," he said, hearing about how the emperor defeated his main officials and fought the rebels.
"I really do not need it; however, give me one," he commanded.
Emperor Evan, who is now known as Leon, insists on lessening the formal gestures and concealing his identity so everyone shall be kept clueless and safe.
Their conversation continues as Leon speaks. "So Blacksmith from Fidelphia. I had this thought before I entered your place," he said.
"What is it, sire?" he asked.
Words left his mouth and a little smirk was placed on Mr. Tim's face.
"I was not surprised that you already figured it out," he said.
"It was tough for that young lady; I know she will be treated properly under your care. I hope you can take her with you," he suggested.
"I was supposed to do that," he said.
Mr. Tim raises his head out of surprise.
"Was supposed to?" he repeated and emphasized.
"I'll ask you a favor. I owe this woman my life and I don't want to put her in danger because I am with her. So never mention my real identity to her," he said.
"I see..." Mr. Tim muttered. "So you find her to your liking, sir?" he confirmed.
"But you're highness, did you know that this girl was married and almost had her first baby before?" he said.
Leonelle was silent at that moment. He doesn't know anything about her.
"You said she WAS and she ALMOST." After a long moment of pause, Leon said, clarifying the answer.
"It will be much better if you hear it from her," Tim said, cutting off the conversation.
"You should be thinking about leaving this place as well," Leon said.
The blacksmith smiled and said, "Staying in this place is my personal choice," he said.
"I know there are things that are uncertain; however, some of the best things are found accidentally," Tim added.
The emperor looked away and admitted, "I never actually expect anything good from the East Coast incident; however, interesting things appear right in front of me before, during, and after its occurrence," he said.
'My loss is actually a gain,' he uttered.
"For now, I'm a little curious about what is that woman thinking," he said, implying that she just got his curiosity.
Tim smirked and nodded. "I see"
Meanwhile.
The pot of soup was about to boil. It is almost ready. The blacksmith's wife, Saray, transfers from one place to another, doing all the preparation needed, and then asks Hidelga to set up the table while her 10-year-old daughter is taking care of the baby.
Hidelga took a look at their little baby and she smiled, requesting to carry him into her arms.
Then afterward she was asked to call those two men for lunch.
"Do you think the emperor is still alive?" Saray suddenly asked.
The atmosphere gets more serious. Knowing that a lot of soldiers died because of sacred weapons, which added to the mortality rate from the crisis in other parts of the empire where the crises appeared unexpectedly. What's even worse is the current emperor who takes over the throne is not even prioritizing the people.
The empire is in its critical state. The balance has been disrupted and the solution is absent.
Mr. Tim chuckled. "Why are you suddenly curious?" he asked.
"Of course! I've heard that the central kingdom was focused mainly on terminating the problem within the empire. However, the first prince took advantage of it and even used it to form attacks simultaneously. The solution is our Emperor Evan!," she said.
"I feel like the emperor is still alive," Hidelga stated.
Leon glanced at her and Tim cleared his throat like he was having a dry cough.